Statue of Liberty showered with rose petals for D-Day anniversary

Friday

Jun 6, 2014 at 1:31 PMJun 6, 2014 at 1:34 PM

Three helicopters flew over the Statue of Liberty on Friday, showering France's gift to the United States with 1 million rose petals during a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Jonathan Lemire

NEW YORK -- Three helicopters flew over the Statue of Liberty on Friday, showering France's gift to the United States with 1 million rose petals during a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Just prior to the petal drop, students unfurled two giant flags at the base of the statue — one American, one French. A band then played both countries' national anthems and another banner was held up reading "The French Will Never Forget." Hundreds of World War II veterans, history buffs and active duty military members attended.

The statue was a gift from France to the U.S. for its help in World War II. The event marked the anniversary of the landings of Allied troops in Normandy, the largest amphibious invasion in history and a turning point in the war.

Among those participating in the ceremony, held under a brilliant blue sky and bright sunlight, was World War II veteran Henry Sanchez, 87, of Bayonne, New Jersey.

He was 17 years old on D-Day serving in the Navy on one of the boats that dropped off the soldiers in the shallow waters offshore. He recalled that gunshots and cannons rang around him all morning.

"I will never forget it — how could I? So many men gave up so much. It's fabulous that they are being remembered this way," he said.

Morton Wernick, 92, of Manhattan, who was awarded the French Legion of Honor at West Point last month, said he was on Utah Beach on D-Day.

"This is a wonderful day. It means a lot to have it remembered like this," said Wernick, who was carrying the "Eisenhower" Army jacket that he wore that day 70 years ago.